The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-03-03
HE Is THE FIRsT.
A ColOrod Catholic Priest Makes His Debut
in New York.

4 New York telegram OF recent date to
the Cincinnati Times Star says: For
long time the colored Catholics of this
city have been waiting to hear mass
celebrated by priest of their race. and
Yesterday their wishes were grati6ed at
the church of St Benedict the Moor. at
the corner of Blocker and Downing
streets, It was announced that the SER
vices would begin at IL A. NJ, but long
before that time every seat in the church
was filed. Colored people, old and
young, came from all parts of the city.
Rev. Father Augustus Talton, the first
and only colored Catholic priest in this
country, celebrated mass, assisted by
Rev. Father Burke. pastor of the church,
and Rev. Father Burtsall.
When the colored priest appeared all
eyes were turned toward him and his
every action was watched. He was per-
fectly at ease and made 3 few remarks
in an eloquent manner. He sang the
mass in powerful voice that filed the
whole church. He is a fine looking
man, nearly six feet in height, and has
the typical head and face of his race.
He was born in Raus county, Missouri,
in 1854. His father and mother were
slaves, and he was born in serfdom. His
early life during those dark days was
one of hardship and suffering.
At mig hts, when others were at rest,
he picked up what learning he could
from such stray books as came into his
possession. In 1860 he, with his mother
and father, escaped and went to Quincy,
Ill, where, in 1861, they obtained their
freedom. Augustus obtained work in a
tobacco factory, and after working all
day would spend a greater part of the
night in his studies. In 1879 he an
nounced his intention to Father Michael.
the principal of st. Francis college, OF
| studying for the priesthood.
Father Michael was pleased. and
wrote to the vicar general of the Roman
Catholic church at Rome. The vicar
| replied, and in an interesting letter
said: Augustus Talton is accepted in
the Propaganda college" This was
happy news to Talton, and Feb. 15.
| 1886, he left Quincy, where, in addition
to his studies, he had become teacher
of the catechism in a Catholic Sunday
school, and went to Rome, entering the
| Propaganda college March II. 1880.
| His studies there were characterized by
earnestness and exceptional industry.
Two years were spent in the study OF
philosophy and four years IN the study
| of theology. On the 24th of last April
nO Wd0 SA0oihO0 60
who advised him to meet his first con
| gregation in this city. Father Talton
arrived here last Tuesday, and at once
went to see his old friend Father Cor.
rigan. He appeared in Father Corrigan':
church at mass several times last week.
1T is, of course, gratifying to me tc
know that am the first of my race tt
be an ordained Catholic priest of this
country" he said to your reporter yes
terday. II have no doubt, however
that in few years there will be many
of us. sincerely hope so. There is {
| young man, James PARCEL, now study
ing in the Propaganda with the inten
ton of becoming priest in this coun
try. He is native of Jamaica, West
Indies. shall probably say mass a
Father Corrigan's church tomorrow
morning, and shall most likely leave OF
Tuesday for Quincy, my old home
where shall preach next Sunday and
shall have parish. This afternoon
| attend the Church of the Epiphany, a
Second avenue and Twenty-first street
with Father Burke. The kindness will
which was received this morning il
very encouraging"